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Solar Week - Ask a Question » Archives of previous runs of Solar Week » 2005 Feb28-Mar04 » Sunspots » sunspots

sunspots

Last post 03-01-2005 12:39 PM by Dawn Myers. 1 replies.
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  • 03-01-2005 9:25 AM

    sunspots

    Reply Contact

    michael s

     

     

    how come sunspots seem to follow a pattern, or stay along the sun's equator?

  • 03-01-2005 12:39 PM In reply to

    • Dawn Myers
    • Top 10 Contributor
    • Joined on 02-27-2005
    • Goddard Space Flight Center
    • Posts 58

    Re: sunspots

    Reply Contact
    Hello Michael, The pattern you are referring to is known as the butterfly pattern. This pattern coincides with the 11 year solar activity cycle. So not only do the number of sunspots change but their locations do as well. They migrate from about 35 degrees north and south latitude towards the equator. Since we are approaching the end of our cycle, the sunspots are currently appearing closer to the equator. The reason for this migration is not clearly understood. Here is an article from national geographic that discusses this http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/02/0203_050205_sunspots.html
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